Are doctors misinforming patients? How can the medical model of birth cause harm to birthing mothers? Why are half of the cesarean births in the United States performed unnecessarily?  Why is one's satisfaction with her own birth experience so low on the priority list?  These are the questions we dive into with Dr. Stu on today's episode.Stuart James Fischbein, MD, also know as “Dr. Stu” is a Board Certified OBGYN. He has been a practicing obstetrician in Southern California since 1986. In practicing obstetrics, he realized something wasn’t right in the medical model of birth, and he started offering backup support to home and birthing center midwives.He now practices community based birthing and works directly with home birthing midwives at www.birthinginstincts.com to offer hope for those women who prefer and respect a natural birthing environment and cannot find supportive practitioners for VBAC, twin and breech deliveries. He is an outspoken advocate of informed decision making, the midwifery model of care and human rights in childbirth. He joins us on the show today to discuss the  biggest challenges facing birthing mothers today. * * * * * * * * * *Connect with us on Instagram @DownToBirthShow, where we post new information daily related to pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. You can reach us at Contact@DownToBirthShow.com. We are always happy to hear from our listeners and appreciate questions for our monthly Q&A episodes. To submit a question, visit the Down To Birth website or send us a voice memo through Instagram messenger. Connect with Cynthia and Trisha at:Instagram: @downtobirthshow on InstagramEmail: Contact@DownToBirthShow.comCall: (802) 438-3696 (802-GET-DOWN)Connect with Cynthia:Email: Cynthia@HypnoBirthingCT.com Text: 203-952-7299 to RSVP to attend a free information session live on Zoom. Upcoming dates are posted at HypnoBirthingCT.com. You can also sign up for our "Fourth Trimester Workshop" or Cynthia's HypnoBirthing classes and weekly postpartum support groups at HypnoBirthing of Connecticut. Remember - we're in CT but you can be anywhere. We serve women and couples coast to coast with our live, online monthly HypnoBirthing classes, support groups and prenatal/postpartum workshops. Connect with Trisha at:Email: Trisha.Ludwig@gmail.com for online breastfeeding consulting servicesWe are so grateful for your reviews and shares - we love what we do and thank you all for your support!Please remember we don’t provide medical advice, and to speak with your licensed medical provider related to all your healthcare matters. Thanks so much for joining in the conversation, and see you next week!Support the show